Submitted by
holmi
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: July 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Gap Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
Cyclelogical
Strengths:
Value for money, top looks & quality components - I'm a Shimano fan!
Weaknesses:
Flat bar not my preference & LX 32T cassette (everyting else is XT?)
Similar Products Used:
I have a Giant Anthem 1 2007
Bike Setup:
Popped my Chris King / Mavic 819 UST wheelset on this sweet bike - the red hubs enhance the bling. Changed the flat bar for riser & short stem (same as set up as the Sparke) & changed the cassette to XT 34T.
Bottom Line:
When I first took this baby out I thought it had a motor compared to my Anthem. It really accellerates & climbs - I suppose like a hard tail should. I have had hard tails in the past, but this one feels more agile & has killer looks.
The new Fox fork does the job up front & the XT bits keep it all moving along & stopping. The riser bar increased my confidence on decents & the XT cassette provides a better range & a lower gear for middle ring climbing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SCT_62
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any hilly XC trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Lonsdale St Cyclery,
Strengths:
High quality components and frame.
Rapid acceleration.
Great hill climber.
Very stable on descents.
Weaknesses:
None as yet
Similar Products Used:
Norco nitro hardtail - good bike
Bike Setup:
Scott Scale 35 hardtail - standard set up
Bottom Line:
5 out of 5 for XC trail riding.
5 out of 5 for XC racing.
5+ out of 5 for hill climbing.
XT brakes are powerful, quiet and smooth.
Fox forks are strong and light.
Frame is very well made - it transfers all the power from the pedal strokes - probably explains the acceleration you feel.
$
Overall Rating:
